Indonesians love to celebrate. They believe that celebrating and eating together brings good luck. Let's party Indonesia﹣style.
Would you be surprised to find a New Year's Day in March?Indonesians on the island of Bali are getting ready to ring in Nyepi, their New Year. It falls in March or April on the night of the new moon and is a symbol of a fresh start for the people and the island of Bali. On the eve of Nyepi, families and friends get together in the market. They carry a huge monster which is made of wood and other materials around the village three times. After that, people set it on fire, hoping to drive out evil spirits.
After Nyepi, a Turun Tanah ceremony begins in honor of a child's first steps. At the TurunTanah, parents invite friends and family to a party to introduce the baby. They put different objects such as a bracelet(手镯), pen, mirror or toy computer around their baby. If the baby picks up a pen, he or she may be a writer. A child who picks up a gold bracelet may be rich.
While Turun Tanah celebrates the future of a family, Galungan celebrates its past. Ancestors who have died return "home" during this ten﹣day celebration. And living relatives do their best to make them happy. Tall bamboo poles line the street. People attend the ceremonies and visit their family and village temples. Actors and dancers give performances that tell stories of good fighting against evil.
A year of festivals has come to an end. Don't worry:next year, Indonesia will be uzzin (嗡嗡声)again with celebrations, so welcome to the party!